CRICKET SEASON

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 September 1940, Page 8

CRICKET SEASON

WAIRARAPA ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEETING LAST NIGHT. PRESIDENT APPEALS TO PLAYERS “Our best weapon in times like these is a high morale, and it is on the cricket field that morale is best built up,” said the president, Mr E. Sortain Smith at the annual meeting last night cf the Wairarapa Cricket Association. “We have players from this association scattered all over the Empire so it is up to us. who arc left, to rally round and keep the game going. We hear a lot about people paying too much attention to sport but it is that very trait which has made us the nation we are. May it always be true that Britain’s battles are won on the playing fields." There was a good attendance, and Mr Sortain Smith expressed the feeling of the meeting when he said: “We must not let the war overshadow our enthusiasm for cricket." October 26 was the day fixed for the opening of the season. Indications were that four senior and four junior teams would be fielded.

It was decided to recommend to the Managament Committee a suggestion that last year’s senior cup winners, Red Star, should play The Rest, as the first senior match of the season.

The following officers were elected: Patron, Mr F. G. Maunsell; president. Mr E. Sortain Smith; vice-presidents, Messrs L. Matthews. G. Masters, D. H. S. Riddiford, G. G. Hancox, I. McLeod and C. Perry; auditor, Mr A. W. McKenzie; delegate to New Zealand Cricket Council, Mr A. T. Donnelly; secretary-treasurer, Mr G. B. Peterson; management committee, Messrs P. G. Ramsay, G. V. Greer, G. Barr, W. Whiteman, and J. Magill.

A hearty vote of thanks was passed to Mr J. Renner for his effort in securing a number of honorary members' donations to the association’s funds. Mr Sortain Smith made special reference to Mr Renner’s work in this connection, and stated that the association was fortunate in having a keen enthusiast like Mr Renner, prepared to devote his time to benefit the association in the manner he had. Mr Percy Smith was accorded a vote of thanks for having carried out the duties of secretary on the resignation of Mr Hancock. AN AMUSING INCIDENT. Some amusement was caused last night at the annual meeting of the Wairarapa Cricket Association when the time came for the presentation of last season’s cups. The president, Mr E. Sortain Smith had actually handed over the cup won by W. Whiteman for the best batting average for the season to the junior champions. Odd Fellows, before it was discovered that the junior Cup had not yet been handed in by the winners in 1938-39.